You could start by calculating your own carbon footprint to see what impact your home, appliances and travel are having. You can also see how this compares to the national averages.
There are various ways that Folkestone & Hythe residents can help to reduce their carbon footprint. These include:
- If you have items that you no longer need, instead of throwing them away, why not give them to someone in your neighbourhood who may be looking for an item just like yours? You could try resources such as Freecycle and Freegle - these are networks that help local people exchange items for free that might otherwise end up in landfill, so reducing waste and saving resources.
- Insulating your home to keep warm in winter and cool in summer
- Getting a compost bin where garden trimmings and vegetable peelings can be recycled and used in the garden or use our garden waste service to get rid of grass cuttings and leaves
- Collecting rainwater in a water butt and using it to keep the garden looking healthy
- Planting insect and bee friendly flowers in the garden and considering carefully the need to use certain pesticides
- Considering alternative ways of travel
- Car-share your journey
- Walk or cycle locally - try www.click2cycle.com for riding around Folkestone and Hythe
- When replacing a car consider an electric or hybrid vehicle
- If travelling long distances, use public transport if possible
- Reduce air travel
Find out more about alternative ways to travel in Kent at kentconnected.org
Support for low carbon business projects extended to 2023
The Low Carbon Across the South East (LoCASE) programme is supported by the European Regional Development Fund to provide a free business support programme in the south east. LoCASE has announced that their follow-on programme has been approved by Government which means they can help small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) with grant funding up until Spring 2023.
For more information visit the LoCASE website.
Get involved locally
- Hythe Environmental Community Group aims to help people reduce their reliance on fossil fuels, reduce excess waste, improve the recycling of what waste they do produce, improve the visual impact of the area and increase their appreciation of the areas flora and fauna.
- Plastic Free Hythe and Sandgate is a community network tackling single-use plastics.
- Say No to Plastic is a group which shares discoveries on how to reduce plastic waste.
- Plastic Free Folkestone is a community network tackling single-use plastics.
If you would like to add a community group to this list or would like more information about reducing carbon emissions please contact climate@folkestone-hythe.gov.uk